Pulling the blinds open at the Hotel Lago Grey (www.lagogrey.cl) in Patagonia’s Torres Del Paine Park was all the wake-up call I needed - no coffee necessary. The sight was far prettier than a picture; the expansive Grey Lake, snowcapped trees, icebergs and Grey Glacier boldly in the backdrop. It was just as I had imagined it. Minutes later, we were able to board the motorboat, the Grey II, steps from the hotel. It could accommodate as many as fifty. Fortunately, there were fewer than ten of us that morning.

With a Caribbean vibe and American appeal, Puerto Rico is numero uno with travelers from the mainland who can do without the hassles of traveling with passports and visas. Plenty of beaches, bars, city hotels and seaside resorts have earned the US territory kudos as an affordable getaway with deals galore during the summer season. A big hit with foodies, menus are a culinary travelogue of Spanish, African, Caribbean, American and Taino Indian influences. From chefs preparing “nuevo criollo” or island cuisine with a fusion twist to mom-and-pops who ladle stews into big bowls, a variety of eateries showcase the fresh bounty from papayas and plantains to cilantro and coconut.

All about upscale indulgences, hyper-attentive service and pampering over price points, vacationing like a VIP is a grand guilty pleasure. Delivering above expectations, luxury in the Caribbean runs the gamut from personal chefs on private islands and butlers who pour afternoon tea to seaside suites that leave no stone unturned. “Our region continues to deliver by embellishing our natural paradise with offerings that easily exceed the standards of elegance,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). “The Caribbean has much to offer in terms of luxury, even in an economy that is making a slow return to a steady state.“

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France, a rare jewel set in the Pacific Ocean. From coast to coast, New Caledonia stretches over 300 miles, passing through the archipelago of the Loyalty Islands. To give a sense of New Caledonia’s location, it is east of Australia, north of New Zealand, south of the Equator, and just west of Fiji and Vanuatu. Uniting the archipelago is a coral reef, second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is UNESCO designated, and is an area of exceptional natural beauty, featuring a unique diversity of coral and fish species. It surrounds an astonishing lagoon, which hides its own preserved ecosystem.

China’s Silk Road is as popular today as it was when the route began. Designed for trade and cultural use, it runs throughout the Eurasian continent, extending and connecting the Western and Eastern civilizations from China to as far as the Mediterranean.

With over 6,000 miles of Silk Road to explore, the road’s moniker originated from the Chinese silk that was traded through this route from as early as the Han Dynasty, beginning in 206 BC. Over time, as the route grew more popular, even the Great Wall of China was extended to protect this valuable route of traffic, peppered with the likes of traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers and nomads, all seeking something that a trip along the Silk Road offered.

Having just attended South Africa’s 2014 Indaba Travel Trade Show in Durban, I headed out to explore the country. I was excited to hear about the recently launched Mandela Tourist Attractions Map which highlights historical places that defined Mandela’s life. Included are Soweto, Johannesburg and Robben Island. With this new heritage tour clients can experience the country’s rich and stirring history in addition to the gorgeous topography, fascinating cities, great food, fine wine and wildlife safaris.http://mandela.southafrica.net

With a new global marketing campaign launching this year and an accolade naming this Emirate one of the top 25 places to go worldwide, Dubai has certainly come a long way from the financial troubles that plagued the city back in 2009. There are new airline routes to announce and a summer campaign to attract both business and leisure travelers. We’ll break it all down for you here, giving you the latest information on this fascinating destination.

First-timers and repeat visitors will be mesmerized by Korea’s transformation, from a nose-to-the-grindstone economic miracle during grim, post-war days to an innovator, inventor and savvy global brand maker and marketer, leaping as it were, from staple fare of fermented kimchi (cabbage swilling in hot spices) to an expanding roster of restaurants along trendy Garosugil lined with international cuisines and wine bars.

While you read this month’s Destinations by JAX FAX, think of Christopher Ames from US Airways. The director of product development is holed up in Las Vegas scouting hotels, restaurants, and enough local lore to baffle 30 travel agents in the upcoming 2014 US Airways Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt. While he gathers ‘intel’ on this famous gambling hub, JAX FAX looks back on Reno, NV, the second of three scavenger hunts held last October by Ames and his trusty cohorts.

The city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site since the 1970s, is one of the jewels in Croatia’s tourism crown. The intact Medieval walled city on the Adriatic Sea, as well as Split, the largest city in the scenic region of Dalmatia, contain fascinating medieval, Renaissance and Baroque historical sites that draw millions of tourists each year. Many arrive on cruise ships in the heat of mid-summer, drawn to the beautiful beaches, breathtaking views and the city’s unique architecture. But, while most of the attention is focused on these seaside villages and towns and islands off the coast of Croatia, there is so much more to see. especially in spring and fall, before and after the busiest part of the travel season, when the crowds thin, streets and hotels empty and there’s room to breathe, to take in the unique beauty, ancient culture and complex modern history of this small country.